Orders, Decorations and Medals

A scarce 1914 D.C.M. group of four awarded to Acting Sergeant E. Ashby, 2nd battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (8545 A.Sjt. E. Ashby, 2/O. & B.L.I.); 1914 Star, with clasp (8545 L.Sjt. E. Ashby, 2/Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (8545 W.O. Cl. 2 E. Ashby, Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) mounted for wearing, nearly extremely fine (4) £2500-3000

D.C.M. London Gazette 16 January 1915: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and ability from 1-8 November in reconnoitring on numerous occasions quite close to the enemy’s position. Has constantly undertaken dangerous work and always successfully accomplished it.’

Sergeant Ashby won his award whilst the battalion was occupying trenches in the woods near Zwarteleen. The Regimental Chronicle for 1914-15 also records that Ashby was further recommended for gallantry during the battle of Festubert, 9-16 May 1915, on which occasion he was also wounded: ‘At Richebourg l’Avoué on the 12th May 1915, gallant conduct in bringing in a man wounded on the 9th May. In the first instance Sergeant Ashby (already awarded the D.C.M.) who, while endeavouring to bring the man in, was wounded; and then Captain Tolson and Private Gamble, who succeeded in bringing in safely each wounded man separately.’

The Regimental Chronicle for 1919-20 records that Ashby was wounded a second time, on 6 December 1917, in the fighting around Lock 6 on the Canal du Nord during the battle of Cambrai.